$43 million dollar award for MMR injury

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http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14982718.htm

Boy awarded $43.1 million

The 7-year-old’s settlement comes under a national vaccine compensation program.

By JULIUS A. KARASH

The Kansas City Star

In what is thought to be one of the largest such settlements ever, a

quadriplegic boy has been awarded $43.1 million under a government vaccine

injury program.

Seven-year-old Arturo , who once lived in Kansas City and

received a vaccination at Children’s Mercy Hospital, will receive the money

under a settlement reached this week through the no-fault National Vaccine

Injury Compensation Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

’s case alleged that he became a quadriplegic after receiving a measles,

mumps and rubella vaccine at Children’s Mercy Hospital’s pediatric clinic on

Jan. 25, 2000.

The hospital was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Under the guidelines

of the program, the litigation was filed against the Department of Health and

Human Services.

Kansas City attorney Leland Dempsey, who represented , said Thursday that

it was his understanding that the settlement was one of the biggest ever reached

under the program.

“One unusual aspect of the case is that is expected to have a normal

lifespan, and therefore will require more years of care that will cost more

money,” Dempsey said. “He will need round-the-clock care, including extensive

medical intervention, throughout his life.”

Dempsey said the money will be paid over ’s lifetime, probably beginning

with about $2 million this year. The boy lives with his mother in Oak Harbor,

Wash., he said.

Bill Hall, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services in

Washington, said Thursday that he was not familiar with the case and therefore

could not comment.

According to statistics on the department’s Web site,

www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation, in fiscal year 2006 the fund paid out a total

of $38.2 million in cases involving 47 awards.

The program was established in 1988 to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines,

stabilize vaccine costs and establish an accessible forum for those injured by

vaccines. A small percentage of children have serious reactions to vaccinations.

Dempsey emphasized that ’s injuries are highly unusual and that parents

should not hesitate to get their children immunized against diseases.

“I can’t imagine that anyone would refrain from getting their child immunized,”

Dempsey said. “It would be irresponsible.”

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To reach Julius A. Karash, call or send e-mail to

jkarash@....

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